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I would be..... Very surprised if Toner didn't travel and start.
100% agreed. He is a key part of set piece too defensively and attacking. Just that is the rumour so that means RWC is nearI would be..... Very surprised if Toner didn't travel and start.
Not too gone on Kleyn but he definitely has a chance of going as a fifth lock with Beirne covering across (or as one of four locks but that'd be silly). I wouldn't classify O'Donnell as likely to go but it could happen if Jordi underwhelmed again, WC squads tend to lead to people who weren't in the conversation getting in.I'd be vert surprised if Tommy O'Donnell made the squad. First choice 7 is Josh van der Flier. If he goes down, either Jordi Murphy slots in or Peter O'Mahony shifts across.
I don't know if the Devin Toner rumour has any merit but second row has become very competitive. Simply looking at Joe Schmidt's track record, he likes big, powerful tighthead locks. Damian Browne and Brad Thorn filled that role for Leinster and Quinn Roux got more caps than anyone could have expected for Ireland due to his size. Schmidt has bigged up Jean Kleyn at every opportunity as being capable of filling that role.
To add to this I must note from a player that Robbie Henshaw has done alot of work training as a 15 so I think it nearly confirms it will be 4 centres and 4 back 3 guys with Henshaw being the 15/ 5th back 3 player. Makes more sense now to have seen Chris Farrell at 12 also.Regarding squad selection.
5 props
3 hookers
4 locks
6 backrow
5 half backs
4 centers
4 back 3
That's my guess. Unfortunately a few injuries will make selection clearer.
Carbery's injury probably puts Cooney on the plane.
It's between Larmour and Conway for the final back 3 spot.
Any injury to a center means another back 3 player will make it.
That's all my opinion on what I think JS will do.
Think there might be a shock ommision like Toner being mentioned above? Farrell playing at 12 for example was interesting since we're presumably bringing both Henshaw and Aki also. Or will Henshaw be used @ 15? Herr Schmidt also hinted Ringrose playing on the wing.
To add to this I must note from a player that Robbie Henshaw has done alot of work training as a 15 so I think it nearly confirms it will be 4 centres and 4 back 3 guys with Henshaw being the 15/ 5th back 3 player. Makes more sense now to have seen Chris Farrell at 12 also.
Henshaw was Leinster's best back at the end of last season but sure. Injuries have meant he hasn't played much over the last few seasons but that doesn't mean he's declined as a player. When he has played (AT 12!) he's been very good.1st time I've seen Farrell live and he impressed Physical player
TBH Henshaw is a tad overrated Living off past glories
I'd take the following Irishmen to Japan 17/14Splits re. Forwards/Backs
LH: Healy Kilcoyne
TH: Furlong J Ryan Porter
HK: Best Cronin Scannell
LK: Ryan Toner Henderson
BKR: POM JVDF Stander Beirne Murphy Coman
SH: Murray Cooney Marmion
FH: Sexton Carberry Carty
CE: Henshaw Ringrose Aki Farrell
WI/FB: Earls Stockdale Kearney Larmour
I have said this consistently. Especially when Aki and Henshaw played together. Both want to do same role and it is pointless having both in same squad.If we're bringing Farrell at 12 I'd want Addison rather than Aki. Aki has stank the place out this year and has somehow come under less criticism than Henshaw who's been far better, similar to Murray and Sexton.
Somehow over the course of the last year Robvie Henshaw has gone from widely being considered our best centre to someone who shouldn't make the 23 despite playing almost no rugby, being very good when he did play (excluding the one game out of position against England which on isn't him at all) and the team he wasn't playing for being pretty s****, especially the guy who was playing in his position.
I'd disagree here. Farrell is much much better as for a big fella he has a superb set of foot work as well as the way he uses his size. Agree that Aki at 12 blocks them a bit but at same time I think Farrell is a better 13 and equally a Henshaw/Farrell partnership would be much more than an Aki Henshaw partnership in the event of Ringrose being unavailable. But Henshaw is a 12 who can fill in at13 to a standard but hasn't the footwork for it to be honest. He is a worldclass 12. And Ringrose is a worldclass 13.I like Farrell but at the same time I think a team with him at 13 has the same problems as a team with Henshaw at 13. Outside a playmaking 12 either of them could be brilliant (12. Nacewa 13. Henshaw worked really well for Leinster) but outside a guy like Aki, or Henshaw himself, it gets very one-dimensional very fast.